LOral Inaugurates Predictive Evaluation Center

L’Oréal Inaugurates Predictive Evaluation Center

05.03.11

• FRANCE:The L’Oréal Group has inaugurated the L’Oréal Predictive Evaluation Center, a research and production center dedicated to the predictive evaluation of the safety and efficacy of its cosmetics ingredients and finished products. Based on 30 years of research and investment, it crystallizes L’Oréal’s vision of the future of evaluation, the company explained.

At the inauguration of the center last month in Gerland, L’Oréal Group president and CEO Jean-Paul Agon commented, “As the worldwide beauty leader, L’Oréal aims to remain a pioneer in the technological advancement of evaluation and innovation, and also aims to be an exemplary socially responsible company. The L’Oréal Predictive Evaluation Center is an illustration of the group’s commitment to ethical, innovative and responsible beauty, which has always been at the core of our mission.”

In order to predict safety and efficacy of ingredients and finished products at an earlier stage and with greater certainty, the L’Oréal Predictive Evaluation Center designs integrated and innovation-driven evaluation strategies as a result of its vast knowledge base and its expertise in technologies such as tissue engineering, molecule design, imaging, modeling and automated test platforms.

The center is spearheading the group’s predictive evaluation research and is the result of a 16 million euro investment: 7 million euros in 2000 and 9 million euros in 2010. It currently produces more than 130,000 reconstructed biological skin and corneal tissue units a year.

In 2011, the Gerland Center will have capacity to evaluate more than 1000 products for safety (formulae or raw materials) and 100 ingredients for efficacy.

The L’Oréal Predictive Evaluation Center will be the center of an international hub connecting L’Oréal’s French, Chinese and Singaporean Research & Innovation activities. As the center of the network, it will develop the L’Oréal Group’s integrated predictive strategy, while incorporating information from the group’s other international Research & Innovation centers, the company said.

According to L’Oréal, this hub embodies a radical shift in approach — it represents a technological and scientific leap forward from alternative methods to predictive strategies.

“The mark of strong research is its ability to anticipate. The L’Oréal Predictive Evaluation Center is a demonstration of L’Oréal’s Research and Innovation ambitions. It will lead to the discovery of new forms of efficacy and new levels of performance, paving the way for breakthrough innovations,” commented Laurent Attal, vice president of research and innovation.

Evonik To Build PlantIn Shanghai

• CHINA: Evonik is building an integrated production plant for organic specialty surfactants at its site in Shanghai, China. The production network is scheduled to begin operation in mid-2013, the company announced.

The various specialty surfactants based on renewable raw materials will be used primarily for cosmetics and laundry care products, as well as for industrial applications.

“Construction of the integrated production plant based on renewable raw materials in Shanghai represents a key step in the further consolidation of Evonik’s global presence. With the new plant, Evonik is supporting the growth of its key customers in Asia with local production,” said Patrik Wohlhauser, chairman of the board of management of Evonik Degussa GmbH and member of the executive board of Evonik Industries responsible for the Consumer, Health and Nutrition segment.

By building the plant at the Shanghai site, Evonik said it will benefit from theinfrastructure of the large Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) and close proximity to its customers’ production facilities. The integrated production network will feature state-of-the-art technology and meet correspondingly high environmental standards. Last fall, in its most recent project at SCIP, Evonik commissioned a plant for the production of plastics and plastics ingredients — a 250-million-euro investment for the group.

The new integrated production plant will produce ingredients for cosmetics and laundry care products, as well as specialty surfactants for industrial applications. The Chinese cosmetics industry accounts for the lion’s share of production.

“We are already well-positioned in the market for cosmetic ingredients in Europe and the U.S.,” added Claus Rettig, head of the Consumer Specialties Business Unit. “Now we are following our customers to Asia, with state-of-the-art technology and correspondingly high-quality ingredients. This allows us to supply our customers at the accustomed high level of quality.”

In-Cosmetics’ Attendance Nears 7,000

• ITALY: At 10,987 square meters, In-Cosmetics 2011 in Milan set a new record in terms of physical size. Attendance was big as well, with 6,850 professionals sourcing the newest products and latest developments from the world’s cosmetics and personal care industry. A third of attendees came from Italy, the host country.

In addition to multinational suppliers who make it an annual event, In-Cosmetics provided a platform for more than 70 first-time exhibitors looking to launch their products to the high caliber visitors in attendance.

The Innovation Zone brought together 70 ingredients launched at the show or in the previous six months. The new Innovation Zone Best Ingredient Award saw aselected number of exhibitors go head to head with their new innovations, judged by an independent panel of experts. In the end, Lipo Chemicals beat out stiff competition to win with its unique Liposhield HEV Melanin technology.

The In-Focus feature explored the challenges in the development of sustainable cosmetics, from new concepts to sourcing, formulation, industrial processes and packaging while the new Sustainability Gallery highlighted 12 sustainable innovations, initiatives or policies developed by leading suppliers in the industry.

The regulatory and innovation seminars, marketing trend presentations and formulation workshops were filled with manufacturers and suppliers looking to equip themselves with the latest industry information. A new addition to the program was the scientific seminars that included nanotechnology, biotechnology and skin aging.

The event was also a hub of networking activity, and not just at the exhibitor stands and seminar theatres, said the organizer. The online community tool Connect launched this year enabled visitors and exhibitors to communicate pre-show and arrange meetings. Live Twitter feeds broadcast at different locations across the show floor, provided the perfect platform for companies and individuals to instantly publicize their show activities.

“The wide range of educational features and exhibitors, not to mention the thousands of visitors who descended on Milan, have really placed us once again at the forefront of the personal care ingredients market,” said Cathy Laporte, In-Cosmetics group marketing manager. “With the cosmetics and beauty industry expected to grow 8.5% by 2014, the show looks set to be a hit once again next year.”

In-Cosmetics 2012 will take place on April 17-19 in Barcelona, Spain in Hall 2, Gran Via, Fira Barcelona.

More info: www.in-cosmetics.com

Seppic Sets Up Shop in Dubai

• UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: To strengthen its development in the Near and Middle East, Seppic has opened an office in Dubai. Air Liquide is the parent company of Seppic. Experts in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors staff the new office, the company said. From this local, the company will focus on a wide geographical area stretching from Egypt to Pakistan. The goal is to double sales revenues in the region within five years, according to Seppic.

“The markets in the Middle East are varied and all have their own distinctive local features. But they share a common economic dynamic and a strong business ethic,” said Vincent Ganne, head of Seppic’s health and beauty BU and the person in charge of the Dubai subsidiary. “Seppic has the products and expertise to help these markets develop. With our local presence, we will be better placed to understand and serve these specific needs. And we will be better able to build close and lasting ties with our customers.

More info: www.airliquide.com

Amway Donates $1.2 Million To Earthquake Victims

• JAPAN: Amway Japan President John Parker announced that Amway Japan Limited and parent company Amway will provide 100 million yen, or approximately $1.2 million, in cash and product donations to support relief efforts in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The corporation, its distributors and employees will provide the support in partnership with local NPOs and relief agencies in the region, especially those which focus on children, in alignment with the company’s Amway One by One Campaign for Children.

“We express our profound sympathies to all victims of this indescribable disaster, and will continue to provide additional assistance through disaster relief efforts as we learn the status and needs of the affected areas,” said Parker. “Our heartfelt prayers go out to our families, friends and neighbors who have been impacted by this tragedy. We are grateful for the well wishes of people around the world, and appreciate their generous offers of help and encouragement to ensure the country’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

Amway has confirmed employees, expatriates and business visitors are safe, and continues to work to ascertain the status of distributors and their families in Japan.

“Wherever we do business, Amway affirms our commitment to respond to events that have such a profound impact on daily lives,” said Amway Executive Vice President Jim Payne. “Amway has activated its global network for Japan. We are providing a mechanism for our employees and distributors to engage and provide help, and will continue to do so as the effort continues.”

Launched in 1979, Amway Japan is one of the company’s top markets, and employs nearly 400 people to support its affiliate operations, including business administration, sales support and distribution, according to the firm.

Shiseido Makes SecondDonation of Relief Supplies

• JAPAN: To make further donations to assist people living in the disaster-stricken areas of Japan, Shiseido Co. made a second donation of relief supplies to the Headquarters for Emergency Disaster Response in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

The donation, which included dry shampoo, hand cream and masks, followed an earlier monetary donation of more than $1.1 million made via Japan Platform, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization.

In addition, the firm has been collecting voluntary donations from current and former employees through the Shiseido Social Contribution Club Hanatsubaki Fund.

Shiseido executives estimate that the 200 to 300 stores destroyed by last month’s tsunami comprise no more than about 1% of Shiseido’s total sales points in Japan. Still, the disaster will translate into 3 billion yen, or $35.7 million, in lost sales and 1.5 billion yen, or $17.9 million, in extraordinary losses for the company for the fiscal year concluded March 31, 2011.

The company will announce results this month, but sales are now seen coming in at 670 billion yen, or $7.97 billion, from a previous target of 680 billion yen, or $8.09 billion. It marks the second time in four months that Shiseido has cut its earning and sales forecasts as conditions in its home market of Japan continue to deteriorate and consumers spend less on beauty products.

IRB Wins ItalianBusiness Award

• ITALY: Istituto di Ricerche Bitecnologiche (IRB), an Italian biotech company that developed and optimized the biotech platform High Tech Nature (HTNTM) based on GMO plant cell cultures, has won the Italian Business Awards for the Environment. Through the HTNTM process, it is possible to manufacture, in strictly controlled conditions, high value plant active substances for cosmetic, nutritional and animal feed applications.

The honor is one of the most prestigious recognitions presented to private and public Italian companies that have distinguished themselves in sustainable development, environmental respect and social responsibility.

The winners will also compete for the European Business Awards for the Environment, which were established by the European Commission Environment Directorate-General in 1987 to recognize and reward European companies that set an example by successfully bringing together innovation, economic viability and environmental concerns.

“We are particularly proud of this award since it rewards the truly single-minded and masterly work of a team of excellence,” said Elena Sgaravatti, IRB general manager.

More info:www.irbtech.com

InterCharm Milano, iCMPack Coming in September

• ITALY: There’s more reason to stick around Milan after InterCharm Milano. Following the professional beauty event that is InterCharm, which is scheduled for Sept. 24-26 2011, is a new event called iCMPack. According to event organizers, it is designed for those firms who work in the cosmetics packaging, raw materials, machinery, technology industries and contract manufacturing.

iCMPack will be held Sept. 26-27 at the same venue as InterCharm Milano.

More info: www.intercharm.it

PCD 2011 Award Winners

• FRANCE: The 7th edition of the PCD Congress-Exhibition, held Feb. 8-9 at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Paris, closed with the PCD Awards ceremony. During the event, 12 prizes were awarded before an audience of enthusiastic professionals.

To enter the competition, products had to be placed on the European market between Dec. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010; winners were selected by a jury of journalists and packaging experts. This year, major technological innovations and new forms of handling were highlighted.

The PCD 2011 Award Winners:

• Bleu Shower Gel, Chanel — Care Category. The flip top was manufactured by SAF. Pinard created the bottle. The case and wavy pattern come from Wauters/Nicollet.